Processes

Oil Hardening

We have the ability to harden ferrous alloys by quenching in oil. Oil Hardening steels become hard by cooling from a high temperature in one of our wells of oil.

Annealing

We can soften metals by treating with sustained heat at the required temperature, followed by cooling at a controlled rate, while at the same time producing desired results in other properties or micro-structure. Annealing generally refers to slow cooling in carbon and alloy steels with the focus usually being on removing stresses; inducting softness; altering ductility, toughness, electric, magnetic or other physical and mechanical properties; changing crystalline structure and finally producing a definite micro-structure.

Stress Relieving

Stress relieving is normally done after rough machining, but before final finishing such as polishing or grinding. Parts that have tight dimensional tolerances, and are going to be further processed, for example by nitrocarburizing, must be stress relieved. Welded structures can be made tension free by stress relieving.

Stress Relieve/Normalizing
• Up to 72”x42”x42”

Straightening

Straightening is a post-heat treating process to bring shafts, blades or other parts into tolerance for straightness.

Blasting

Blasting provides a clean finish to metal that has been heat treated. Using our state-of-the-art equipment we have the capability to provide Aluminum Oxide, Steel Shot and Glass Bead Blasting.

Neutral Salt

Neutral salt baths have the benefit of very rapid heat transfer into the work piece and although a labor intensive method of heat treatment, salt bath hardening is economical for treating small components. Salt compositions are available for case hardening of low carbon steels and the neutral hardening of higher carbon and alloy steels, including tool steels. Slightly higher temperatures are used and cycle times are mainly in the range of 2 to 4 hours. Although these processes can be applied to alloy nitriding steels with similar results as gas or plasma nitriding, they are generally applied to plain carbon and low alloy steels and cast irons.

Brazing

Brazing is a versatile metal joining method which is available for a range of alloys, including steels, cast iron, and nickel alloys. Despite the increasing use of modern adhesives and automated welding processes, brazing remains an economical and efficient method for fabricating a wide variety of parts, ranging from automotive components to parts for gas turbines.

Shrink Fit

Shrink-fitting is a procedure which is used to fit together two parts, at least one of which is metal, with an interference fit. The fitting can be carried out by expanding the outer metal part and allowing it to shrink onto the other part as it cools. Alternatively, an inner metal part can be shrunk by sub-zero treating and then allowed to expand into the other part as it heats up to room temperature.

Martempering

A hardening method for steel involving quenching from the austenitizing temperature into a heat extracting medium, usually salt, which is maintained at a constant temperature above the point at which martensite start to form, usually about 450° F. We keep the steel in this medium until the temperature is uniform throughout, then cool in air for the formation of martensite, and finish by tempering using a conventional method. Advantages to martempering are minimum distortion and residual strains, and the size of the part can be substantially larger then those done using austempering.

Normalizing

Through normalizing, steel can obtain a more fine-grained homogeneous structure with predictable properties and machinability. During normalizing, the material is heated to a temperature approximately equivalent to the hardening temperature (800-920°C). At this temperature new austenitic grains are formed. The austenitic grains are much smaller than the previous ferritic grains. After heating and a short soaking time the components are cooled. During cooling, new ferritic grains are formed with a further refined grain size. In some cases, both heating and cooling take place under protective gas to avoid oxidation and decarburisation.

Stress Relieve/Normalizing
• Up to 96”x42”x42”

Black Oxide, Anodizing and Plating

Black Oxide, Anodizing and various Plating are available through partner companies.